Mat 24:4, 6, 11 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 4,5. Take heed , etc. He first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, as many would arise to deceive the people. Many shall come in my name . Not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, but in the name of the Messiah , or claiming to be the Messiah. I am Christ . I am the Messiah. . The Messiah was expected at that time, . Many would lay claims to being the Messiah, and, as he was universally expected, many would easily be led to believe in them. There is abundant evidence that this was fully accomplished. Josephus informs us that there were many, who pretended to Divine inspiration, deceived the people, leading out numbers of them into the desert. "The land," says he, "was overrun with magicians, seducers, and impostors, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God." Among these are mentioned particularly Dositheus, the Samaritan, who affirmed that he was Christ; Simon Magus, who said he appeared among the Jews as the Son of God; and Theudas, who persuaded many to go with him to the river Jordan, to see the waters divided. The names of twenty-four false Messiahs are recorded as having appeared between the time of the emperor Adrian and the year 1682. (d) "take heed"

Matthew 24:4

Verses 4,5. Take heed, etc. He first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, as many would arise to deceive the people.

Many shall come in my name. Not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, but in the name of the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah.

I am Christ. I am the Messiah. Mt 1:1. The Messiah was expected at that time, Mt 2:1,2. Many would lay claims to being the Messiah, and, as he was universally expected, many would easily be led to believe in them. There is abundant evidence that this was fully accomplished. Josephus informs us that there were many, who pretended to Divine inspiration, deceived the people, leading out numbers of them into the desert. "The land," says he, "was overrun with magicians, seducers, and impostors, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God."

Among these are mentioned particularly Dositheus, the Samaritan, who affirmed that he was Christ; Simon Magus, who said he appeared among the Jews as the Son of God; and Theudas, who persuaded many to go with him to the river Jordan, to see the waters divided. The names of twenty-four false Messiahs are recorded as having appeared between the time of the emperor Adrian and the year 1682.

(d) "take heed" Col 2:8, 2Thes 2:3

Matthew 24:6

Verse 6. And ye shall hear of wars, etc. It is recorded in the history of Rome, that the most violent agitations prevailed in the Roman empire previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. Four emperors, Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, suffered violent deaths, in the short space of eighteen months. In consequence of these changes in the government, there were commotions throughout the empire, Parties were formed; and bloody and violent wars were the consequence of attachment to the particular emperors. This is the more remarkable, as at the time that the prophecy was made the empire was in a state of peace.

Rumours of wars. Wars declared, or threatened, but not carried into execution. Josephus says, that Bardanes, and after him Volageses, declared war against the Jews, but it was not carried into execution, Ant. 20,34. He also says that Vitellius, governor of Syria, declared war against Aretas, king of Arabia, and wished to lead his army through Palestine; but the death of Tiberius prevented the war, Ant. 18,5,3.

The end is not yet. The end of the Jewish economy; the destruction of Jerusalem will not immediately follow. Be not, therefore, alarmed when you hear of those commotions. Other signs will warn you when to be alarmed, and seek security.

(f) "hear of wars" Dan 12:1 and following

Matthew 24:11

Verse 11. And many false prophets. Many men, pretending to be prophets, or foretellers of future events. This refers not to the false Messiahs of which he had spoken, Mt 24:6 but to prophets who should appear during the siege of the city. Of them Josephus says, "The tyrannical zealots who ruled the city suborned many false prophets to declare that aid would be given to the people from heaven. This was done to prevent them from attempting to desert, and to inspire confidence in God." See Jewish Wars, book vi., Chap. 5, & 2, 3.

(l) "And many false" 2Pet 2:1, 1Jn 4:3 (m) "deceive many" 1Timm 4:1